Mourinho believes United will be facing a CSKA team that is stronger than he has seen at any point in his time as a top-level manager.

"I have faced CSKA with Real Madrid, Chelsea and now with United," he said.

"I always like to be back in Moscow – it is a beautiful city that gets better each time I come. It is a pleasure.

"It is the best CSKA I'm going to play against, the best team I face with CSKA as an opponent.

"But I don't like to speak about opponents because if I speak good I motivate them and if I speak bad I motivate them. I play many times against CSKA and I think this is the best CSKA Moscow side I have faced."

Mourinho also welcomed the Football Association's decision not to pursue charges against him after he was sent off against Southampton in Saturday's 1-0 Premier League victory at St Mary's.

"If I am not punished it is because there were no reasons for the sending off," he said.

"I am happy that was recognised and that I can be doing my work normally against Crystal Palace. That is enough for me."